Research
Read expert articles, clinical research, and training insights on Research from Moving Lymph.
Why does MLD have such a profound effect on the Autonomic Nervous System?
Almost 50 years ago Prof. Dr. Paul Hutzschenreuter measured the effect of Dr Vodder's MLD on the sympathetic nervous system, noting a significant reduction in sympathetic activity within 5 minutes of beginning the MLD treatment. He coined the term sympatholytic which is now commonly used in lymphology.
Critical appraisal skills - the missing link for Therapists
The demand for level 1 studies is largely driven by academic needs, rather than tangible, clinically relevant outcomes.
Measuring clinically relevant outcomes
An easy - and free - way for therapists to assess clinical progress is to use an analogue scale.This can be a numeric scale such as the one developed in 1932 by Rensis Likert (1) to measure attitudes. Typically a 5- or 7-point ordinal scale, respondents rate the degree to which they agree or disagree with a statement. It is essentially a rating scale, usually presented as a score between 1 - 5 or 1 - 10, where the person selects the number to reflect the perceived quality of a product or servic
Stretching helps resolve acute inflammation and reduce pain.
Gentle stretching forces help resolve acute inflammation, and reduce pain and immune cell infiltrate. This has implications for those of us
Another disappointing SR that fails to tell us anything new 😖
Systematic reviews are an academic exercise to ‘systemically review’ the existing literature on a particular research question. They are ...
lymph-angiogenesis
Initial lymph vessels and interstitium should not be thought of as separate entities, rather as a continuum responding primarily to mechanical forces. lymph-angiogenesis
Lymphatic therapy for exercise and injury recovery among athletes
The bulk of published research on lymphatic therapies are on oncology patients, and the majority of these are on breast cancer-related arm lymphoedema (BCRL). So it's always exciting to find publications on something completely different, such as this study on MLD for post exercise regeneration of the forearm muscles of mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes. Zebrowska and colleagues (1) divided 20 MMA athletes into 4 groups and measured blood flow in the cephalic vein, maximal forearm strength ...
Why Elastic Tape Is a Game Changer for Phase 2 Lymphoedema Management
Evidence for the effectiveness of elastic taping as an adjunct in Lymphatic Therapies is also growing, and the most recent Systematic Review (SR) on elastic taping in lymphoedema management supports our collective clinical observations, and confirms that lymph taping is a vital option for people who have trouble applying traditional compression therapies.
Lymphoedema and the Roadmap to 2030
Between COVID, climate change and the exponential growth of our connected world, it is obvious to me that we must now behave as as global co
Lymphoscintigraphy guided MLD
It's exciting how much imaging is going on in the lymph system these days! And with this paper on lymphoscintigraphy guided MLD (1) I can see a future where we will be able to combine systems to create a 3D map of everyone's lymphatic system and know exactly where the open pathways are.
Navigating the Medical Publishing Maze - How we Published our Long-COVID Case Report
It is easy to say that we need to publish more of our Case Studies, but that simple statement belies the very challenging and expensive process involved in medical publishing. As Massage Therapists without any experience or training in academic writing, Bronwyn Overall and Kaori Langley did a stellar job of conducting and recording their results using MLD to resolve the symptoms of long-COVID in two cases.
MLD & the mechanics of skin-health
We can now link the very precise stretch and shear forces created by the original Dr Vodder method to the formation of new lymph vessels and the pathway of the pre-lymphatic channels, tissue healing on a molecular level and restoring the properties of the connective tissue fibres and skin-health.
The complex interactions that control lymph flow, and how Dr Vodder's MLD exploits them
A variety of intrinsic and extrinsic forces act in a co-ordinated way to maintain a constant lymph flow. New insights into how specific factors may be at play in different tissues and body regions, provides a neat connection to how MLD is applied, and the pronounced effect we see on lymph flow as a result.
My 10 favourite facts about MLD
explain the scientific basis of the effects of MLD, the specific tissue or system effects achieved by individual techniques, and the expecte
'Tis the Season to Be Jolly: Why Laughing is Good for Your Lymphatic System
The idea that simple actions such as talking, shouting, singing , laughing, crying, sighing and yawning can influence our physical health dates back to the 19th century, and Harry Campbell’s observations published in the The Lancet in 1897 laid the groundwork for understanding how these actions affect circulation.
Lymphatic endothelial cells, so much more to know!
The study looked at how the lymphatic endothelia cells behave when there is tissue hypoxia, so there are three interesting things here. How
Why I dislike 'keto'
... not surprising when you consider the strong links between lymphatic disease and fat disorders, they are reciprocal risk factors for each
Obesity Matters: How do You Know if You are Overweight and Why Jumping on the Scales May be a Bad Idea.
As many of us resolve to lose weight this year, it’s vital to consider how success is measured to avoid unrealistic goals and setbacks. BMI
Why MLD should be started as early as possible.
There's nothing quite so satisfying as reading a well written paper which summarises everything interesting that we know about the lymph system. In this regard, the recent paper by Weber et al (1) is a good read for anyone fascinated by lymphatics, regardless of academic ability. Personally I can't help but make connections with the descriptions given, and what I know about lymphatic physiology and the effects of MLD. It's also very affirming when new understandings in lymphology, support the b
LKN Foundation launches during #LymphoedemaAwarenessMonth
By now I knew that I was never going to be in a financial position to volunteer large chunks of my time to work in LF-endemic countries, so
Its never too early to start MLD
Thompson et al, found evidence for MLD to prevent onset in early breast cancer patients and to reduce arm volume in early stage lymphoedema
What is the best measure for lymphoedema?
There has been a lot of discussion lately around systematic reviews and RCTs on the effectiveness of MLD in our treatment mix. Measuring tre
Wound Healing, Tissue Repair and Scar Formation; How Early Application of MLD Improves Visual and Functional Outcomes for Almost Everything
Accelerated Wound Healing with Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD). Learn how MLD promotes lymphangiogenesis, reduces scarring, and enhances tissue repair. Discover its role in accelerating acute wound healing and preventing chronic wounds like venous ulcers.
Brain inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Can MLD prevent progression?
Cerebral spinal fluid (CFS) is sometimes referred to as a 3rd circulation system, functioning as the lymphatic equivalent to clear wastes fr
How to write a case study and why we need them
Randomised controlled trials are not suited to assessing the effectiveness of treatment of lymphoedema and other chronic diseases.
MLD and total knee replacement
Next week my Mum will have a knee replacement. Scans show almost no cartilage left between the condyles and the tibial plateau, and the meniscus is sever disintegrated. I already know how much MLD will benefit, because of the physiological effects of MLD, and my experience in treating many clients after TKR.
How do new discoveries in lymphology influence our clinical practice?
Across two decades of teaching therapists how to interact with lymphatics through MLD and Lymph Taping, I have witnessed an explosion in research on lymphatic function and disease.Some observed truths have been completely reversed,like the advice around exercise for people affected by lymphedema. Once it was shown that any post-exercise swelling is temporary, and that overall people who exercise have better lymphedema outcomes than those who don't, our advice did a big 180 turn from don’t overlo
A Pressing Matter: What is the Right Pressure in Lymphatic Massage?
The reality is that effective lymphoedema management demands an individualised approach. One that takes into consideration the progressive nature of lymphoedema, and delivers a nuanced application of MLD appropriate to the presentation, and a tailored self-care program designed to deliver optimal outcomes for the investment made in time, effort, and family resources that lymphoedema inevitably requires.
AromaticaLymphatica: A Synergistic Blending of Ancient Remedies and Modern Lymphology.
"AromaticaLymphatica" is the modern synthesis of ancient aromatic arts, with advances in lymphology, to maximise the synergistic potential and create next level Lymphatic Therapy.
From Lymphoedema to Alzheimer’s: The Expanding Role of MLD in Ageing Well
Discover the role of MLD in healthy ageing. Learn how Manual Lymph Drainage can improve ageing well by reducing inflammation and boosting brain health.
Why Systematic Reviews Can’t Guide Clinically Relevant MLD Practice for Post-Knee-Replacement Clients
Explore why Systematic Reviews fall short in guiding MLD practice for post-knee-replacement clients. Understand the limitations of Systematic Review findings.
Lavender Essential Oil, Inflammation and MLD: Synergistic opportunities in Lymphoedema Prevention.
Explore how Lavender essential oil can reduce inflammation and support lymphoedema prevention. Discover Lavender's potent synergy with MLD.
The Invisible Superhighway: Why Your Gut-Lymph Axis is the Secret to Immunity Inflammation, and Weight Management
Explore how the gut–lymph axis influences immunity, inflammation and weight management, and learn practical ways to support a healthy lymphatic system.
The Science of Seamless Recovery: Why MLD is Essential After Cosmetic Surgery Recovery
This professional guide highlights the crucial role of MLD in cosmetic surgery recovery. The Vodder Method has been shown to reduce post-surgical oedema and minimise scarring for superior aesthetic outcomes.
Revised Starling Equilibrium and the Endothelial Glycocalyx: Why Are We Still Getting This Wrong?
Groundbreaking evidence that changed our fundamental understanding of fluid dynamics at the capillary was published in 1999 (1), However, the 'old' model, where most interstitial fluid was thought to be resorbed at the venous end of the capillary, is still being taught in most lymphatic programs, and even Chat GPT gets it wrong! This post reviews the Starling Equilibrium and the Endothelial Glycocalyx and highlights the importance of understanding fluid dynamics in lymphedema management.
The Cost of NOT doing MLD in Phase 2 Lymphoedema Management.
Learn why skipping Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) during lymphedema maintenance incurs a hidden cost on quality of life and symptom control. We analyze peer-reviewed evidence to show MLD's active role in promoting lymph flow, the need for continuous professional support, and tailored solutions for complex cases like leg lymphedema.
MLD vs Pressure Massage: Which One When?
Compare the physiological differences between MLD vs pressure massage. Learn how the body responds to each can inform clinical choices and understanding the mechanism that make MLD the treatment of choice in acute or chronic oedema, recovery, and chronic pain.
Why MLD is Essential for Facial Cosmetic Surgery: The Science of Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Aesthetic Rehabilitation
Explore how the precision of the original Dr. Vodder MLD technique transforms cosmetic surgery recovery, from managing rare lymphedema risks to accelerating skin rehabilitation and reducing stress.
Clearing the Mind: MLD and Glymphatic Health in an Age of Neuroinflammation
Explore how Glymphatic health and Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) can combat neuroinflammation and boost neurological longevity. Discover Glymphatic insights now!
The 24/7 Reality: Why Self-Care is the Cornerstone of Lymphoedema Management
Discover why self-care is the cornerstone of lymphoedema management. Learn how daily habits and therapist support can transform long-term health
Why Lymph Flow Matters: Human Skin Lymphatics, Tissue Health, and the Power of MLD
Explore the cellular science behind MLD. Learn how human dermal lymphatics differ from mouse models and how manual therapy reverses tissue hypoxia and ECM fibrosis.
Unblocking the Drain: How Glymphatic Discoveries are Revolutionising Mental Health, and the Promise of Lymphatic Drainage in Neurotherapy.
Explore how neuroinflammation impacts dementia and mental health, how the glymphatic system depends on peripheral lymphatics, and why Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) offers a promising treatment for long-COVID brain fog and neurodegeneration.
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